miR-21, miR-221, and miR-222 upregulation in lung cancer promotes metastasis by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our research was to observe the effects of miR-21, miR-221, and miR-222, as well as their target genes on oxidative stress, lung cancer formation, and metastasis. METHODS: Positron emission tomography/computed tomography, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and/or endobronchial ultrasonography were performed on a total of 69 lung cancer patients to detect the presence or absence of metastasis, and the patients were classified based on the types of cancer. Total RNA and miRNA were isolated from the obtained biopsy samples. The quantitative analysis of hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-222-3p, and hsa-miR-221-3p and their target genes was performed by the RT-qPCR method. In determining oxidative stress, total antioxidant status and total oxidant status in tissue and total thiol and native thiol in blood were determined spectrophotometrically. OSI and disulfide were calculated. RESULTS: We discovered that the metastasis group had higher levels of hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-221-3p, and hsa-miR-222-3p (p<0.05). While TIMP3, PTEN, and apoptotic genes decreased in metastasis, anti-apoptotic genes increased (p<0.05). In addition, while oxidative stress decreased in the metastasis group, no change was found in the serum (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that upregulation of hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-221-3p, and hsa-miR-222-3p effectively contributes to both proliferation and invasion by influencing oxidative stress and mitochondrial apoptosis.

Uma Apresentação Rara de COVID-19 com Embolia Pulmonar / A Rare Presentation of COVID-19 with Pulmonary Embolism

Resumo A doença de coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19) foi relatada em quase todos os países do mundo desde dezembro de 2019. A infecção por SARS-CoV-2 é frequentemente assintomática ou com sintomas leves, mas também pode levar à hipóxia, um estado hiperinflamatório e coagulopatia. Os parâmetros de coagulação anormais estão associados a complicações trombóticas, incluindo embolia pulmonar na COVID-19, mas pouco se sabe sobre os mecanismos. A semelhança dos sintomas iniciais de ambas as doenças também pode ser confusa, portanto, os médicos devem estar cientes do potencial para condições concomitantes. Apresentamos aqui um caso que não apresentava opacidades em vidro fosco nos pulmões, mas apresentava embolia pulmonar e derrame pleural em associação com infecção por COVID-19.

Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been reported in almost every country in the world since December 2019. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 is often asymptomatic or with mild symptoms, but it may also lead to hypoxia, a hyperinflammatory state, and coagulopathy. The abnormal coagulation parameters are associated with thrombotic complications, including pulmonary embolism in COVID-19, but little is known about the mechanisms. The similarity of initial symptoms of both diseases can also be confusing, therefore the physicians should be aware of the potential for concurrent conditions. Herein, we present a case who did not have ground-glass opacities in the lungs, yet presented with pulmonary embolism and pleural effusions in association with COVID-19 infection.

Assessment of left atrial function by strain in patients with acute ischemic stroke left atrial function and acute stroke

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Myocardial speckle-tracking echocardiography can detect subtle abnormalities in the left atrial function. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between left atrial myocardium and tissue function n assessed by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score in patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHOD: The study was composed of 80 patients (45 men, 35 women, mean age: 67±15 years) with acute ischemic stroke. The patients were divided into two groups based on the calculated National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (group 1, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score < 16; group 2, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥ 16). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data for all patients were collected. Cardiac functions were evaluated using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography within 48 hours from admission to the neurology care unit. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the patients' clinical parameters. Left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (59.2±5.6 to 51.4±6.3, p=0.024). Left atrial longitudinal strain was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (34.48±9.73 to 26.27±7.41, p=0.019). There were no significant differences between other echocardiographic parameters. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that left atrial longitudinal strain is associated with stroke severity during admission in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Left atrial longitudinal strain is an indicator of left atrial myocardial function.